Ansible Playbook for Apache installation step-by-step guide

• Ansible
• Apache
• Playbook

Apache is one of the most used open-source web servers globally. This tutorial explains how to deploy and configure Apache on Scaleway Instances with the power of Ansible automation. Before diving in, ensure you meet the prerequisites:

Before you start

To complete the actions presented below, you must have:

• Owner status or IAM permissions allowing you to perform actions in the intended Organization
• Familiarity with Ansible for seamless execution

Configuring Ansible for Apache

Begin by setting up Ansible to communicate with your Scaleway Instances:

1. Create a dedicated directory:

   mkdir ansible-apache
   

2. Navigate to the directory:

   cd ~/ansible-apache/
   

3. Create an ansible.cfg file:

   nano ansible.cfg
   

4. Populate it with the host file configuration:

   [defaults]
   hostfile = hosts
   

5. Create and edit a hosts file:

   nano hosts
   

6. Define your host information:

   [apache]
   secondary_server_ip ansible_ssh_user=username
   

Creating a playbook

Utilize Ansible playbooks for configuration and deployment:

1. Craft a playbook named apache.yml:

   nano apache.yml
   

2. Insert the following content:

   - hosts: apache
     tasks:
       - name: run echo command
         command: /bin/echo hello world
   

3. Execute the playbook:

   ansible-playbook apache.yml
   

Installing Apache

Install Apache on your Scaleway Instance:

1. Update apache.yml with the apt module:

   nano apache.yml
   

2. Replace the existing content with:

   ---
   - hosts: apache
     become: yes
     tasks:
       - name: install apache2
         apt:
           name: apache2
           update_cache: yes
           state: latest
   

3. Run the playbook:

   ansible-playbook apache.yml --ask-become-pass
   

Configuring Apache modules

Enable Apache modules as needed:

1. Open apache.yml:

   nano apache.yml
   

2. Include module activation and restart handler:

   ---
   - hosts: apache
     become: yes
     tasks:
       - name: install apache2
         apt:
           name: apache2
           update_cache: yes
           state: latest
       - name: enable mod_rewrite
         apache2_module:
           name: rewrite
           state: present
         notify:
           - restart apache2
     handlers:
       - name: restart apache2
         service:
           name: apache2
           state: restarted
   

3. Execute the playbook:

   ansible-playbook apache.yml --ask-become-pass
   

Configuring Apache options

Customize Apache configuration as per your requirements:

1. Open apache.yml for editing:

   nano apache.yml
   

2. Adjust port settings:

   ---
   - hosts: apache
     become: yes
     tasks:
       - name: install apache2
         apt:
           name: apache2
           update_cache: yes
           state: latest
       - name: enable mod_rewrite
         apache2_module:
           name: rewrite
           state: present
         notify:
           - restart apache2
       - name: apache2 listen on port 8081
         lineinfile:
           dest: /etc/apache2/ports.conf
           regexp: "^Listen 80"
           line: "Listen 8081"
         notify:
           - restart apache2
       - name: apache2 virtualhost on port 8081
         lineinfile:
           dest: /etc/apache2/sites-available/000-default.conf
           regexp: "^<VirtualHost \*:80>"
           line: "<VirtualHost *:8081>"
         notify:
           - restart apache2
     handlers:
       - name: restart apache2
         service:
           name: apache2
           state: restarted
   

3. Run the playbook:

   ansible-playbook apache.yml --ask-become-pass
   

Once Ansible is fully set up, you can visit your web browser on port 8081 (rather than port 80). In most web browsers, this can be easily achieved by adding :port onto the end of the URL: http://public_ip_address:8081/.